Being Thankful is Part of Worship.
“Whenever the living beings give glory and honour and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever)” – Revelation 4:9-10.NLT
According to this text, one of the marks of heavenly life is the constant expression of thankfulness. This may be difficult to understand for those accustomed to having everything they need. What we need is a change of attitude. The difference between thanks and complaints has more to do with our point of view than it does with the actual facts on the ground. Let me illustrate.
We could complain about children making a mess or we could be thankful they are home and not on the streets. We could complain about our children’s mess after a party or be thankful they have friends who want to be at your place. We can complain about the high taxes we pay or be thankful for having a job and all the benefits to our society they bring. When things go pear-shaped as they have in the world right now, we can be thankful for a government that is doing its best to help.
If your clothes are getting snug be thankful you have more than enough to eat. You see, the difference between complaining and thankfulness is primarily attitude!
Too much work around the house? Be thankful you have one! Complaints about the Government? Be thankful for free speech! Too far to walk from your parking space? You can walk and have a car! Power bill too high? What does it do?
When we go to church, we should be thankful we are not being hounded out of church for our faith by persecutors.
Too much laundry? You have clothes! When I awake in the early morning hours, I can be thankful that I am still alive.
Chronicles 16:34: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 4:2: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 1 Corinthians 1:4: “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 9:11: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Read also e.g. Jonah 2:9, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 50:14
Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were courageous, compassionate Dutch Christians who helped harbour Jews from the Nazis in Holland during World War 2. After the sisters were arrested for doing so, they were imprisoned at Ravensbruck, a German concentration camp. In the “Hiding Place,” I remember reading of the morning they read 1 Thess 5:16-18. They then proceeded to give thanks for everything, though Corrie struggled with thanking God for the fleas. Days later they realized that it was the fleas that were keeping the guards from the barracks.
In times like we are now in when faced with deeply trying and discouraging circumstances, we can identify numerous blessings that the Lord continues to pour into our lives. Some of those blessings come because of the difficulties we’re facing. As we focus on the Lord’s blessings, we will be heartened and enabled to persevere through life’s discouragements. And we’ll never fail to appropriately honour God by thanking Him for His ever-present blessings.
In Revelation 4:11, we find the Biblical basis of worship. It is “because” God created all things. In Revelation 5:9, worship happens “because” (NIV) the Lamb was slain and redeems. In Revelation 11:17, worship happens “because” (NIV) God has begun to reign. While often translated “for” in English, all three verses use the Greek word ‘hoti,’ which means the reason or the basis upon which an action is taken. God is worshiped “because” of what He has done. Worship throughout the Bible is talking about, singing about, and repeating the acts that God has done (Deut. 26:1–11; Ps. 66:3–6; Ps. 78:5–15; Ps. 111:4). It even includes acting out the death and resurrection of Jesus through baptism (Rom. 6:3, 4) and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:26).
Worship in the Bible is not about us. Worship is about what God has done. God is the author of life and every good thing. Let the acknowledgments begin!
Yes Ross God gives us so many blessings all through our lives, thank you for these messages and Happy Christmas to you and yours. Blessings Ros Bostock
Thank You Ros – I get a blessing beyond measure by preparing them. Happy New Year to you.